The Utica Rescue Mission gifted toys and supplied to around 200 families on Saturday as part of the Operation Sunshine, a two-month-long program designed to make sure families in need have a happy holiday.
UTICA, N.Y. — The Utica Rescue Mission gifted toys and supplies to around 200 families on Saturday as part of Operation Sunshine, a two-month-long program designed to make sure families in need have a happy holiday.
The West Street Apartments hosted the second and last distribution day for all families that registered.
Volunteers from the Mohawk Valley Church were on hand to help distribute hundreds of toys and supplies donated through Toys for Tots, Stuff the Bus as well as private donations from the community.
Hanafords provided families with gift cards to their local stores as well as food boxes. Turkeys were also donated by Cree Manufacturing.
Organizers with the Utica Rescue Mission tell NEWSChannel 2 that they hope the families that walked through the doors on Saturday felt supported.
“My hope is that when they come in here they are feeling loved, they’re feeling respected by the people that are here because everyone who is here today is here to serve our community and is doing so in the spirit of service and love. So I want them to feel that. I hope that when they get home and open up their packages they know that their children’s Christmas and their Christmas is going to be a little bit brighter,” said Community Services Coordinator Tara David.
The Rescue Mission would like to thank the entire community for the support this holiday season.
https://www.wktv.com/content/news/200-families-benefited-by-Operation-Sunshine-566408151.html
